Vista - USB external hard drive causes extreme CPU useage

11-30-2008

Windows Vista Home Premium on a Dell XPS M1530 laptop.

The title basically says it all. Whilst using an external USB hard
drive, Process Explorer gives the CPU useage in the 90% -plus range.

It's a dual core system, and it appears to only be using one core at
full useage, as the temps are in the high 50's and low 60's (celcius),
and full useage of both cores typically puts the temps into the 70's.

What's the reason for this? Indexing? Does the CPU need to be doing
this, and is there a way to stop it? I use the external hard drive for
videos, music and photos so the contents are not being used permanently.
is there a way to stop this CPU useage, and if so, would it affect
performance much?

11-30-2008

I could suggest leaving it turned on for a long time, so that the OS can
index the drive to its little heart's content. Otherwise, you might be able
to do something in Control Panel, System, Performance, Adjust Indexing
Options.

Cheers,

Earle

"Cuzman" <cuzGETRID@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:R5edncs-x68nqK7UnZ2dnUVZ8iydnZ2d@xxxxxx

Quote:

>
> Windows Vista Home Premium on a Dell XPS M1530 laptop.
>
> The title basically says it all. Whilst using an external USB hard drive,
> Process Explorer gives the CPU useage in the 90% -plus range.
>
> It's a dual core system, and it appears to only be using one core at full
> useage, as the temps are in the high 50's and low 60's (celcius), and full
> useage of both cores typically puts the temps into the 70's.
>
> What's the reason for this? Indexing? Does the CPU need to be doing
> this, and is there a way to stop it? I use the external hard drive for
> videos, music and photos so the contents are not being used permanently.
> is there a way to stop this CPU useage, and if so, would it affect
> performance much?

**Flavius** · 12-01-2008

Quote:

The title basically says it all. Whilst using an external USB hard
drive, Process Explorer gives the CPU useage in the 90% -plus range

You seem have overloaded USB controllers and thus this problem.I suggest to buy some USB hub with power supply (its very important!)-I think this should resolve your problem

11-30-2008	#1 (permalink)
Cuzman n/a posts	USB external hard drive causes extreme CPU useage Windows Vista Home Premium on a Dell XPS M1530 laptop. The title basically says it all. Whilst using an external USB hard drive, Process Explorer gives the CPU useage in the 90% -plus range. It's a dual core system, and it appears to only be using one core at full useage, as the temps are in the high 50's and low 60's (celcius), and full useage of both cores typically puts the temps into the 70's. What's the reason for this? Indexing? Does the CPU need to be doing this, and is there a way to stop it? I use the external hard drive for videos, music and photos so the contents are not being used permanently. is there a way to stop this CPU useage, and if so, would it affect performance much?
My System Specs

11-30-2008	#2 (permalink)
Earle Horton n/a posts	Re: USB external hard drive causes extreme CPU useage I could suggest leaving it turned on for a long time, so that the OS can index the drive to its little heart's content. Otherwise, you might be able to do something in Control Panel, System, Performance, Adjust Indexing Options. Cheers, Earle "Cuzman" <cuzGETRID@xxxxxx> wrote in message news:R5edncs-x68nqK7UnZ2dnUVZ8iydnZ2d@xxxxxx Quote: > > Windows Vista Home Premium on a Dell XPS M1530 laptop. > > The title basically says it all. Whilst using an external USB hard drive, > Process Explorer gives the CPU useage in the 90% -plus range. > > It's a dual core system, and it appears to only be using one core at full > useage, as the temps are in the high 50's and low 60's (celcius), and full > useage of both cores typically puts the temps into the 70's. > > What's the reason for this? Indexing? Does the CPU need to be doing > this, and is there a way to stop it? I use the external hard drive for > videos, music and photos so the contents are not being used permanently. > is there a way to stop this CPU useage, and if so, would it affect > performance much?
My System Specs

12-01-2008	#3 (permalink)
Flavius Vista Bussiness x64 PL 1,558 posts	Re: USB external hard drive causes extreme CPU useage Quote: The title basically says it all. Whilst using an external USB hard drive, Process Explorer gives the CPU useage in the 90% -plus range You seem have overloaded USB controllers and thus this problem.I suggest to buy some USB hub with power supply (its very important!)-I think this should resolve your problem
My System Specs

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